UCSB Continues to Dominate at Home, Sweeps Santa Clara

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. -
The UC Santa Barbara softball team stretched its home win streak to four straight on Wednesday as the Gauchos swept visiting Santa Clara in a nonconference doubleheader at Campus Diamond. UCSB (16-12) posted 6-0 and 7-2 victories over the Broncos (5-25) to remain perfect in home contests.

During the first game of the twin bill, UCSB got on the scoreboard at the bottom of the second inning. Amanda Ziegler led off with a single to center field before Katie McWhirter reached on a fielder's choice. During the same play, the Broncos' first baseman committed a throwing error, allowing Ziegler to advance to third. A two-RBI single from Priscilla Perez during the next at-bat gave UCSB a 2-0 advantage.

At the bottom of the fourth, Perez posted her second single of the game to lead off for the Gauchos. Lainey DePompa followed with a single to the shortstop before Jackie Conlin brought Perez home with a base hit up the middle. One out later, Jessica Ziegler singled to left field, loading the bases for UCSB. Tiffany Wright was up next and the center fielder pushed the Gaucho lead to 5-0 with a two-RBI single to center field.

A sacrifice fly from A. Ziegler sent her sister home for the final run of the game as the Gauchos took the win, 6-0.

Perez was 2-for-3 with a run and two RBI in her first game back after sitting out with an injury. A. Ziegler went 2-for-2 with a run and a RBI and Wright was 1-for-4 with two RBI. Ramos rounded out the double hit performances, going 2-for-4 with a run.

In the circle, Krista Cobb (9-3) pitched the complete game and allowed just two hits. She struck out three and walked none in the win.

For the Broncos, Kaitlyn Rauschnot (1-13) pitched the full game and gave up six runs - five earned - on 10 hits. She had no walks or strikeouts.

The Gaucho offense struck early in the second game of the doubleheader. Ramos led off with a single to shortstop and then stole second. A sacrifice bunt from J. Ziegler put Ramos on third before Wright was able to reach on a fielding error by the Santa Clara right fielder, which also allowed Ramos to cross home plate. One out later, A. Ziegler hit a double to left center field, sending Wright home and giving UCSB a 2-0 lead.

In the second with two outs, Jackie Conlin reached on a Bronco fielding error and was followed by Ramos who hit a bunt single to the pitcher. During the next play, J. Ziegler singled to right center field sending Conlin home.

At the bottom of the third, UCSB's A. Ziegler and Perez posted consecutive singles with one out before a single from Katie McWhirter sent A. Ziegler home. A RBI single from DePompa put the Gauchos ahead, 6-0.

In the fourth, J. Ziegler led off with a triple to right center field before Wright got nailed by a pitch to put a pair of runners on the corners. Wright stole second right before Jessica Beristianos grounded out to second base, subsequently driving J. Ziegler home. A sac fly from A. Ziegler gave UCSB a 7-0 lead.

After 11 scoreless innings, Santa Clara was finally able to penetrate the Gaucho defense at the top of the fifth, a single from Nicole Picard followed by a walk from Jeanine Ruffoni put two runners on with no outs. One out later, both runners advanced when Noelani Ho'opi'i grounded out to first base. A two-RBI double from Amanda Edmonson sent home the lone Bronco runs of the game.

In the second win, Jessica Ziegler led the way going 3-for-3 with a run, a triple and a RBI. Amanda Ziegler went 2-for-2 with a run, a double and two RBI.

In the circle, Tami Weston (2-2) got the win after tossing five innings and allowing just two runs on four hits. She walked three and struck out two. MeLinda Matsumoto pitched two innings in relief and gave up three hits while striking out five.

Jenna Fong (3-9) took the loss after throwing four innings. She allowed seven runs - six earned - on nine hits.

The Gauchos will remain at home this weekend for their 2009 Big West Conference opener against UC Riverside. UCSB will host the Highlanders in a three-game series that will begin with a doubleheader scheduled for noon on Saturday at Campus Diamond. For tickets, call (805) 893-UCSB or click here.

In its on-going effort to draw awareness to breast cancer and to promote its research, the UCSB Athletics Department will sponsor "Pink Week" at this week's athletics events, including this weekend's softball games against UCR.

In addition to the softball team, the UCSB women's water polo and tennis teams will be taking part in the effort during their home contests this week.